All-out rescue, relief efforts underway in quake-hit areas of Xizang

All-out rescue and relief efforts are underway in Dingri of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, with affected people evacuated and relocated, emergency supplies in place, and medical staff dispatched for treatment, after a 6.8-magnitude quake struck the county on Tuesday morning.

By 19:00 Wednesday, 126 deaths and 188 injuries were reported in the earthquake, while over 3,600 houses had collapsed.

The county, which lies at around 4,500 meters above sea level, has a population of more than 60,000. The worst-hit areas are within 20 kilometers of the epicenter, concentrated in the three townships of Tsogo, Changsuo, and Quluo. A total of 646 aftershocks had been recorded in the county as of 12:00 on Wednesday.

Rescuers are stepping up their efforts as they fear the harsh winter conditions and high altitudes will be reducing the chances of people surviving in the rubble of their homes and workplaces.

So far, 46,525 affected people have moved to emergency shelters in 187 relocation sites set up in response to the quake. Rescue forces and supplies are also continuously arriving in quake-stricken areas.

The first batch of 22,000 disaster relief items dispatched by national disaster response authorities, including windproof shelters and heaters, arrived in the quake-hit region on Wednesday. Another 20,000 items, including quilts and folding beds, and another 2,000 disaster-relief prefabricated houses, were also dispatched on the same day.

The Ministry of Finance, together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, urgently allocated 80 million yuan (10.92 million U.S. dollars) of central government relief funds on Wednesday to support the region's farmers and livestock breeders .

To treat the wounded, 14 medical teams consisting of 30 experts and 100 staff from medical institutions have arrived in Dingri County.

At Dingri County Central Hospital, 30 emergency tents have been set up. The hospital has successfully treated 188 people, with seriously injured patients transferred to Xigaze for further treatment.

All-out rescue, relief efforts underway in quake-hit areas of Xizang

All-out rescue, relief efforts underway in quake-hit areas of Xizang

All-out rescue, relief efforts underway in quake-hit areas of Xizang

All-out rescue, relief efforts underway in quake-hit areas of Xizang

All-out rescue, relief efforts underway in quake-hit areas of Xizang

A China Media Group (CMG) reporter recorded the "war zone-like" wildfires raging in the north of Los Angeles in California, the United States, on Wednesday night.

Multiple major wildfires raging across Los Angeles County, the most populous U.S. county, has killed at least five people and damaged at least 1,100 buildings, authorities said Wednesday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday after tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate due to a fast-moving wildfire in California.

According to the CMG reporter Liu Xiaoqian, fire has been burning all day at multiple locations in the area on Wednesday, and local residents have received evacuation messages.

"This road is now completely closed, with access restricted to fire engines. A strong smell of burning fills the air, creating a scene reminiscent of a war zone. You can hear the crackling sound of fires raging," said Liu on site.

The video footage from Liu shows widespread destructions caused by the fire, with numerous buildings, vehicles, and road signs reduced to ruins. Dense smoke and fire flames can be seen along the roads.

According to Liu, the vast area affected by the fire means that the local fire department has resources only to deal with large-scale blazes.

"The wildfire currently sweeping across multiple areas of Los Angeles is the most severe one the city has ever experienced. Scenes like this large-scale fire are just the beginning, as the fire is spreading in all directions across the city. At present, firefighters can only focus on containing large-scale fires like this one to prevent further spread," he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden decided to cancel his scheduled trip to Italy to "remain focused on directing the full federal response" to California wildfires, a White House spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday night.

CMG reporter experience "war zone-like" wildfires in LA